Probe finds no negligence of Sonagazi madrasa governing body chairman

The government has not found any “negligence” or “inaction” of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Madrasa Governing Body Chairman PKM Enamul Karim in connection with the incident of sexual harassment and murder of its student Nusrat Jahan Rafi.

The government today submitted a probe report to the High Court in connection with the incident.

Chattagram’s Additional Divisional Commissioner Md Habibur Rahman has conducted the enquiry as per the HC’s earlier order.

Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar today placed the report before the HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader.

After receiving the report, the HC bench kept it in record and said it will hear the rule issued on July 15 after the court’s 45-day vacation since August 30.

Following a writ petition, the HC bench on July 15 directed the government to conduct an enquiry against the madrasa’s governing body chairman, in connection with the sexual harassment and murder of Nusrat.

On that day, the bench also observed that if Enamul Karim had taken appropriate action against principal Siraj Ud Daula for sexually harassing Nusrat, she might not have suffered such a deplorable consequence.

Enamul Karim could have taken necessary steps after making an enquiry into the allegation against the principal, after Nusrat and her mother had earlier informed Enamul about Siraj’s conduct.

The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why Enamul’s inaction should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench came up with the order and rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond.

On April 6, a group of people poured kerosene on Nusrat and set her afire at the Feni madrasa for refusing to withdraw a sexual harassment case against the principal.

The 18-year-old girl lost her battle for life on April 10 -- an incident that sparked outrage all over the country.